Winter does a number on our skin, hair and nails. It’s no secret that the cold weather has a bad impact on our overall beauty, and we should focus on maintaining a better beauty routine throughout the colder months. The health of our nails however, isn’t affected only by the cold. There are some mistakes that we do that cause brittle, unhealthy nails. These daily activities can often slow down the process of growing and make our nails prone to breakage.
If you’ve always wanted to grow out strong, long nails, here are some of the things you should do.
Moisturize
Moisturizing your hands and nails is extremely important, especially in the colder months. If your nails and cuticles lack moisture, they’ll start to split and break easily. This is something you should avoid, so make sure you massage a moisturizing cream on your nail bed and cuticles a few times a day.
It will help you prevent rough skin and hangnails, and protect your hands and cuticles from drying out.
Don’t Pick or Bite Your Nails
Of course, you have to avoid biting your nails in order to let them grow out. This habit is quite common and can be very difficult to break. However you have to try your hardest as it’s bad for the health of your nails and it’s a very unsanitary thing to do. You don’t need to ingest any germs that could harm your body! Also, you need to stop picking your cuticles – because healthy cuticles promote healthy nail growth.
Don’t Pick at Your Polish
Another bad habit is picking off your nail polish with your nails or a sharp object. This is a big no no! When you’re scraping off nail polish, you’re basically scraping the top layer of your nails. This will make them thin, brittle and damaged, and you won’t be able to grow your nails longer and stronger. Make sure you remove your polish only with nail polish remover.
Avoid Acetone Based Removers
While we’re at removing nail polish, make sure you use a high quality nail polish remover that isn’t acetone based. Acetone is harmful for your nails and cuticles and can dry them out, causing splitting and damage. Avoid it at all cost and switch to non – toxic and acetone free nail polish remover.
Say No to Gels
Although gel manicure lasts way longer than a regular nail polish, it’s very bad for the health of your nails. Gel polishes and acrylic nail glue contain toxins that are extremely harmful for your nails and cuticles. The UV lights are also bad for your skin and the removal of gel nails is too harsh and drying.
A professional gel manicure might be a nice thing to get every once in a while, but on the long run, it can destroy your nails and make them thin and prone to breakage. It can be really hard to recover from years of getting gel manicures, so it’s best not to get used to this treatment. Use a regular nail polish instead – it’s a lot cheaper and quicker than a salon visit.
Take Biotin Supplements
Biotin is an excellent beauty supplement. Taking your daily dose of biotin can have a positive impact on your hair, skin and nails. This vitamin is essential to maintaining strong and healthy nails. Your nails are made of protein, so biotin will boost the production of healthy proteins and help you grow out long, sturdier nails.
Use Nail Hardeners
Don’t forget to apply a clear top coat of a strengthening nail polish over your manicure. Most nail polish brands offer nail hardeners, and these products can be true life savers for brittle nails. This will also help your nail polish last longer, so it’s a win-win situation!
Protect Your Nails From Dryness and Chemicals
A lot of detergent and dish soap brands contain chemicals that can damage your nails and skin. Exposing your nails to water can also cause dryness.
So it’s best to wear rubber gloves while doing housework or washing the dishes in order to protect your hands and nails. Also, don’t forget to wear your warm gloves when going out in the cold!
Give Your Nails a Break
If you love to have your nails done at all times, you need to remember that this is bad for them and can cause cracking and splitting. Just as mentioned above, you need to avoid gel treatments for the sake of your nails. You also need to avoid nail polishes for some time, as although a safer alternative, they too contain toxic ingredients.
You don’t need to give up on having pretty nails, but you should at least consider giving them a little break. This will help your nails recover from all the damage and regain their strength and health!